My high school buddy, PFC Woodrow "Woody" Charles Cronkrite, USMC, at
the age of 20, was killed in action (KIA) at about 1600 Hours, 10 September, 1967,
near Con Thien, Vietnam. He was a member of 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon,
India Company, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment.

I was a transfer student from Pennsylvania in the Fall of 1960 when I
first attended 8th grade at Suitland Junior High School, Suitland,
Maryland. I knew no one except a cousin, a year younger.
I met teachers and students through the normal course of the school
year. Woody learned of me from a mutual teacher. He approached me,
befriended me, helped me feel welcomed, and became an unofficial sponsor
of sorts for the remainder of the year.
We were never more than casual friends, but that simple act of
kindness stayed with me through the years. When I learned of his death,
I was shocked and saddened. Ever since, my mind has returned often to
our first meeting and our last class together in Mr. Jack's Senior
English at Suitland Senior High School.
Woody wanted to be a writer. His writings were destroyed in a fit of
anger at his death, an understandable, but regrettable act. Over the
years, Woody, for me, has come to symbolize the loss of so many promising
youth from our generation, who gave their lives in service to their
country. I am reminded of the 19 May, 1991, "Funky Winkerbean" cartoon
strip, wherein the following monologue takes place as two alumni look at
class pictures on the wall of their alma mater:
"I was just thinking about a couple of kids from our school who
went over to Vietnam and never made it back.
"I remember one in particular who was a pretty talented artist with
a promising career in front of him ...
"and I began to wonder how many paintings will never be seen,
songs will never be heard, and books will never be read ...
"because of wars yet to come ..."

Woody was with 3/26 only a few weeks before his death. Most of his
time in-country was with MAG-16. His return addresses were usually: